the little scenes - spoilers

In reading all the reviews of ATW, I've noticed that people fall into two categories. One group will call this film a masterpiece, while the other will say that the acting was great but that the story was too melodramatic, too much like a soap opera, too over the top. I confess that I side with the first group... and I do scratch my head trying to figure out why people think this film too melodramatic. True, there are twists, and big emotions.. but it is a big story. These are not just random plot points. With his power, Jorgen has set up the pieces. The arc of the plot has already been determined once Jacob accepts the wedding invitation, there is no turning back. It is up to the characters of the story to react to them.

As for the big emotions, I'd like to point out a couple of small moments of the film that really hit the right notes. When Anna makes the speech at the wedding about how her mother, Helene, is being the the most, loyal person in the world, Bier cuts to Jacob... smirking ironically to himself.

Also, I loved the small scene at the hotel after Anna spent the night on Jacob's couch after walking out on Christian. Helene comes into the cafe to comfort her daughter, Helene asks for some juice as Anna goes to get breakfast at the buffet. Alone at the table, Jacob is left to comfort Helene who is dealing herself with Jorgen's illness, Jacob caresses her as they share a few seconds of mutual connection. Anna returns and Helene must revert back to the role of the comforter to her daughter, telling Anna how beautiful she is...Anna in turn, breaks down crying and confesses that she forgot Helene's juice. and Jacob is left to comfort both Anna and Helene, each with their own heartbreak.

Small scenes like this one are scattered throughout the movie. Because the plot has already been pre-determined, the real task of the movie is to create three-dimensional characters whom the audience feels empathy for. In these small scenes, Bier has has injected real human beings and real human emotions into the plot and we in the audience gladly surrender our empathy for them. They have earned it. Frankly, I would go anywhere with these characters.